Car owners want road-tax rebate, cab owners seek compensation

LOST ALL DOCUMENTS-I work in Dubai and was planning to leave in 15 days. Never did I ever imagine that such a tragedy would strike me.

Bengaluru: Badri Prasad, a corporate consultant, is yet to come to terms with Saturday’s fire that gutted nearly 300 cars at the Aero India show’s parking lot. A resident of Jayanagar, Prasad lost more than his car. The blaze destroyed 14 of his all-important documents, including his passport, driving licence and Aadhaar card.

Even as he was figuring out whom to approach at a special counter set up to help people who lost their vehicles, he was thankful that home minister MB Patil dropped in. On hearing Prasad’s plight, Patil asked officials to take up his case on priority. “I work in Dubai and was planning to leave in 15 days. Never did I ever imagine that such a tragedy would strike me. I have even lost my UAE resident card, three debit cards and UAE driving licence,” he added.

There were many anxious people at the counter where they registered a complaint, got their scrap certificate from the transport department and applied for a claim.

On Sunday, nobody was allowed to enter the scene of the fire. The authorities ensured that grass was removed at the new parking facility that was created nearby.

One of the common demands raised by the persons who lost their cars was road tax exemption while buying a new car. Yogesh MH, a resident of Ramamurthy Nagar, who lost his eight-month-old Toyota Etios, said he had spent ?1.2 lakh on road tax. “I may get a claim of Rs 6 lakh from the insurance company. The government should at least give a rebate on road tax when I buy a new car,” he said.

K Raghavendra, a central government employee, too said the government should absorb the road tax. He bought his car barely four months ago.

The home minister told reporters that a police team was conducting an investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire. While appreciating the efforts of the department in dousing the fire, he hinted that the parking management came under the purview of the ministry of defence and not of the state government.

“We are probing the cause. It could be because of the combination of dry grass, the blazing sun, strong winds and fuel-filled inflammable vehicles. After the inquiry, I will submit a detailed report to the chief minister with a brief on whose responsibility it was to manage the parking facility here,” he said.

Patil revealed there was a demand for compensation from cab owners who lost their vehicles. “We are yet to take a decision,” he said.

Of the 277 vehicles that were in flames, 235 have been completely destroyed. As many as 73 were partially damaged (16 due to fire). Rescuers broke the windowpanes of 57 cars and pushed them to safety.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the site and later met chief minister HD Kumaraswamy. She enquired about the steps taken to facilitate the insurance claims. She, however, did not speak to the media.